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Thunder arena getting new floor; 'Peake upgrades total $2.4 million

The Thunder will be playing on a new basketball floor when the NBA season begins this fall. That’s just one of the $2.4 million worth of upgrades fans will notice this season at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Here’s a rundown from Tom Anderson, special projects manager in the city manager’s office:

NBA commissioner David Stern addresses the Thunder fans before the first half of the opening night NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008, at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER

Suites: Suites are being reconfigured; each suite will get a few new seats and the layout will be more functional, Anderson said. Club level carpet will be replaced. The low bid came in at $916,000, about $200,000 below estimates.

Court: The city estimates a new wooden floor built to NBA specifications will cost $200,000. Bids are due Aug. 5; the new floor is to be ready for play by Sept. 30. Of the old floor, which Anderson said is the original from 2008, “I’m sure it’s been used more than 300 times. It’s run the course of its useful life.”

Players’ family room/promoter offices: Plans call for more than doubling the space set aside for players’ families to about 2,600 square feet. Used during games, the room includes televisions and a play area for children. The project includes converting a former minor league hockey locker room into office space for tour managers, promoters and others who come through the arena with events such as concerts and need a place to work. The cost estimate was $600,000; the four lowest bids ranged from $822,000 to $870,000. The city council awarded the contract Tuesday to W.L. McNatt & Co.

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by William Crum

Reporter

OU and Norman High School graduate, formerly worked as a reporter and editor for the Associated Press, the Star Tribune in Minneapolis, and the Norman Transcript. Married, two children, lives in Norman.